In August 1914, the Allies and Axis couldn't make any more ground on each other. This resulted in stalemate and both sides dug downwards to create trenches and defensive lines. The front line was pummeled with constant shell and artillery fire from the enemy. This map shows the location of the front line known as the western front. The Allies were more eager to attack so they spent less time building their trenches and more time devising offensive plans, where as the Germans were more than happy to stay where they were and defend since the Schlieffen plan failed, their trenches were a lot better built ans safer.
Trenches were a vital part of WWI. They formed the front line and the many supply and communication routes behind the front line. This picture shows how regular trench lines were laid out. There were three main types of trenches;
1) Front line: this is where most of the fighting took place. They were used to deploy troops over the top and to fight off any enemies advancing.
2) Support lines: These were behind the frontline and served as homes for the soldiers who had come back from fighting on the frontline
3) Communication lines: These were used to transport men, food, water and other supplies such as ammunition.
1) Front line: this is where most of the fighting took place. They were used to deploy troops over the top and to fight off any enemies advancing.
2) Support lines: These were behind the frontline and served as homes for the soldiers who had come back from fighting on the frontline
3) Communication lines: These were used to transport men, food, water and other supplies such as ammunition.
Trenches were normally two meters deep and two meters wide. They were built in a zigzag so that if enemy do infiltrate it, they can't just shoot down the line.
The German trenches were reinforced better with wooden borders, sandbags, barbed wire and even concrete. They also had special places for machine gunners and snipers. Their trenches lines layout were more organized.
The French and British trenches were rushed with reinforcements being a few sandbags, barbed wire and few wooden parts. Their trench lines layout were a lot more disorganized.
Germans had better trenches because they had more time to get prepared as they started holding their ground earlier so began the trenches earlier.
The German trenches were reinforced better with wooden borders, sandbags, barbed wire and even concrete. They also had special places for machine gunners and snipers. Their trenches lines layout were more organized.
The French and British trenches were rushed with reinforcements being a few sandbags, barbed wire and few wooden parts. Their trench lines layout were a lot more disorganized.
Germans had better trenches because they had more time to get prepared as they started holding their ground earlier so began the trenches earlier.
General Doiglas Haig
In an attempt to break the stalemate on the Western Front and relieve the pressure on the French at Verdun, Haig ordered the Somme offensive, which began on 1 July 1916. The British army suffered 60,000 casualties (just under 20,000 of whom were killed) on the first day, the highest in history, and Haig's orders in the battle of the somme made him one of the most controversial figures of World War I. In July 1917, a new offensive - the Third Battle of Ypres resulted in further massive casualties, but they succeed in weakening the German army and helped prepare the way for Germany's defeat in 1918.
Haig believed that the war could only be won on the Western Front. This caused friction with Lloyd George, secretary of state for war and prime minister from December 1916 who disagreed with this strategy, George supported alternative schemes to Haig and disagreed with him. The great German attacks of the spring of 1918 almost broke the British army, but inspired the creation of a single command of allied forces at the Western Front under the French commander Ferdinand Foch, he was strongly supported by Haig.
Between August and November 1918 the Allied forces under Haig's command achieved a series of victories against the German army which resulted in the end of the war.
Haig served as commander in chief of British Home Forces from 1918 until his retirement in 1921. He also helped establish the Royal British Legion and worked hard to raise funds for it. He was created an earl in 1919 and died on 28 January 1928.
In an attempt to break the stalemate on the Western Front and relieve the pressure on the French at Verdun, Haig ordered the Somme offensive, which began on 1 July 1916. The British army suffered 60,000 casualties (just under 20,000 of whom were killed) on the first day, the highest in history, and Haig's orders in the battle of the somme made him one of the most controversial figures of World War I. In July 1917, a new offensive - the Third Battle of Ypres resulted in further massive casualties, but they succeed in weakening the German army and helped prepare the way for Germany's defeat in 1918.
Haig believed that the war could only be won on the Western Front. This caused friction with Lloyd George, secretary of state for war and prime minister from December 1916 who disagreed with this strategy, George supported alternative schemes to Haig and disagreed with him. The great German attacks of the spring of 1918 almost broke the British army, but inspired the creation of a single command of allied forces at the Western Front under the French commander Ferdinand Foch, he was strongly supported by Haig.
Between August and November 1918 the Allied forces under Haig's command achieved a series of victories against the German army which resulted in the end of the war.
Haig served as commander in chief of British Home Forces from 1918 until his retirement in 1921. He also helped establish the Royal British Legion and worked hard to raise funds for it. He was created an earl in 1919 and died on 28 January 1928.